Saskatchewan Teachers Federation President Samantha Becotte. (Lisa Schick/980 CJME file photo)

By Susan McNeil

Teacher negotiations

Last day of work to rule for Sask students is Friday as arbitration pends

Jun 14, 2024 | 2:06 PM

Students in Saskatchewan will complete their last two weeks of school with full services from teachers after the STF agreed to binding arbitration.

The STF says the arbitration will include wages and the issue of classroom complexity.

“Our consultation with members indicates that teachers see binding arbitration as the best path to an agreement that will take steps to address class complexity and also provide students, families and teachers with stability for the rest of this school year and into the fall,” said STF President Samantha Becotte in a news release.

After a week of consulting with members. STF leadership said that work to rule would end at 4 pm on Friday and there will be no further sanctions.

In the last several months, members had decided to renew sanctions for September after rejecting the province’s most recent offer as it did not meet include classroom complexity.

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That issue has been cited as a major concern throughout the negotations in combination with classroom size.

About 75 per cent of STF voting members supported going to binding arbitration.

Becotte said that what changed was a written commitment form the Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee that the class size/complexity issue would be part of the arbitration proposal.

When the TBC declared a bargaining impasse on June 5, the Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee offered binding arbitration on the issues of wages and the accountability framework, a proposal that was rejected when it did not include class complexity.

The decision to participate in binding arbitration means STF members will not vote on a collective agreement. The arbitrator’s award (decision) on the two issues under arbitration is legally binding and it will be put into the final provincial collective bargaining agreement

Now, the two negotiating groups will need to agree on an arbitrator. The availability of that person will determine how long it will take to have a hearing.

Usually the hearing is done over several days and each side is allowed to present their points but the final decision can take months.

“Throughout collective bargaining teachers have remained firm that there must be a commitment by government to respond to class complexity. Including class complexity-accountability framework in binding arbitration allows us to make our case to a neutral third party and provides an opportunity for progress in addressing the needs of Saskatchewan students,” Becotte says.

“The overwhelming support of parents and caregivers, students, community groups and businesses has encouraged and sustained teachers during a challenging year. Together we have been able to position public education at the centre of community and political conversation. Teachers will continue the fight for publicly funded education and long-term, sustainable solutions that address the needs of students and schools.”

susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com